Apparatus for re-positioning the spindle rotor and for actuating pneumatic threading mechanisms of a textile yarn processing machine

ABSTRACT

In a textile yarn processing machine, such as a twister, spinning frame or the like, having a plurality of spindle assemblies and each spindle assembly including a driven rotating rotor mechanism; the improvement of selectively operable devices for re-positioning the spindle rotor mechanism to a predetermined threading position for threading up of the spindle assembly. The re-positioning devices include a nozzle for directing a jet of compressed air eccentrically and obliquely against the underside of the rotor mechanism for rotating the rotor mechanism to reposition the rotor mechanism. The spindle assembly further desirably includes air operated devices for threading the yarn through the spindle assembly and the re-positioning devices further preferably include devices for actuating the threading devices upon completion of the operation of the re-positioning devices.

United States Patent [191 Franzen Sept. 10, 1974 [54] APPARATUS FOR RE-POSITIONING THE 3,636,698 1/1972 Nakahara et al. 57/58.83 x

SPINDLE ROTOR AND FOR ACTUATING FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS PNEUMATIC THREADING MECHANISMS 907,402 l0/l962 Great Britain 57/58.83

OF A TEXTILE YARN PROCESSING MACHINE Inventor: Gustav Franzen, Krefeld, Germany Palitex Project Company GmbH, Krefeld, Germany Filed: Oct. 18, 1973 Appl. No.: 407,504

Assignee:

Foreign Application Priority Data Apr. 21, 1973 Germany 2320392 US. Cl 57/34 R, 57/58.7, 57/58.83,

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 8/1955 Soussloff et al 57/58.7 X l/l968 Franzen 57/58.49 l/l97l Treus et al 57/58.49

Primary Examiner-John Petrakes Attorney, Agent, or FirmParrott, Bell, Seltzer, Park & Gibson [57] ABSTRACT In a textile yarn processing machine, such as a twister, spinning frame or the like, having a plurality of spindle assemblies and each spindle assembly including a driven rotating rotor mechanism; the improvement of selectively operable devices for re-positioning the spindle rotor mechanism toa predetermined threading position for threading up of the spindle assembly. The

I rte-positioning devices include a nozzle for directing a et of compressed air eccentrically and obliquely against the underside of the rotor mechanism for rotating the rotor mechanism to re-position the rotor mechanism. The spindle assembly further desirably includes air operated devices for threading the yarn through the spindle assembly-and the re-positioning devices further preferably include devices for actuating the threading devices upon completion of the operation of the re-positioning devices.

18 Claims, 18 Drawing Figures PATENIED SEP I 01974 SHEET 1 0f 8 PAIENIEnswmsu v 4 4 I sum 20F a PAIEMEWH 3.884.144 v SHEE? 50$ 8 PAIENIEBSEP 1 3.834.144

SHEET 8 0f 8 APPARATUS FOR RIB-POSITIONING THE SPINDLE ROTOR AND FOR ACTUATING PNEUMATIC PROCESSING MACHINE This invention relates to selectively operable means for re-positioning a spindle rotor mechanism of a textile yarn processing machine to a predetermined desired threading position upon the stopping of its rotation in a position other than the predetermined desired thread ing position and, preferably, for actuating pneumatic threading means by causing the flow of air under pressure through the threading devices.

In the operation of textile yarn processing machines, such as twisters, spinning frames or the like, and in particular two-for-one twisters, and when the yarn being processed has broken or the supply package of yarn has been exhausted, it is necessary to stop operation of a rotating rotor mechanism forming a part of each of the yarn processing spindle assemblies for rethreading of the yarn through the spindle assemblies. Stopping of the rotation of the rotor mechanism results in the rotor mechanism coming to rest in an arbitrary position which may or may not coincide with the desired position of the rotor mechanism for threading up of the spindle assembly. This is particularly accute when the spindle assembly includes pneumatically operated yarn threading mechanisms, such as shown for example in US. Pat. No. 3,731,478, issued May 8, 1973, and assigned to the assignee of the present invention, which requires the rotor mechanism to be positioned in a predetermined desired position for the rethreading of the spindle assembly.

Various mechanisms have heretofore been utilized for positioning or re-positioning the spindle rotor mechanism in the predetermined desired position after arbitrary stopping of the rotation thereof for rethreading of the spindle assembly. For example, US. Pat. application Ser. No. 264,816, filed June 21, 1972, now 11.8. Pat. No. 3,805,507, issued Apr. 23, 1974, and assigned to the assignee of the present invention, describes a device for the braking and stopping of the rotor mechanism of a yarn processing machine in a predetermined desired position for rethreading of the yarn through the spindle assembly. In the mechanism of this United States patent application, the rotor mechanism is driven by means of a tangential, drive belt which is in engagement with the rotor mechanism for driving thereof. When stopping of the rotor mechanism is desired, the tangential drive belt is moved out of driving contact with the rotor mechanism allowing the rotor mechanism to be stopped by means of a brake or otherwise in an arbitrary position. Thereafter, the tangential drive belt is again brought into light driving engagement with the rotor mechanism for rotating the rotor mechanism until a catch or stop on the rotor mechanism is engaged to stop the rotor mechanism in its predetermined desired rethreading position.

While the above described device has been commercially successful, frictional heat is generated and the drive belt is subjected to additional wear by the continuous movement into and out of driving position with the rotor mechanism for re-positioning of the same for rethreading of the spindle assembly. Also, the pneumatic threading devices, as disclosed in the above mentioned US. Pat. No. 3,731,478 required actuation by mechanisms unrelated and totally separate from the mechanisms for re-positioning of the rotor mechanism.

Accordingly, it is the object of this invention to overcome the above problems and to provide an improved mechanism for re-positioning the rotor mechanism of a spindle assembly of a textile yarn processing machine to the desired threading position thereof upon arbitrary stopping of the rotor mechanism for rethreading of the spindle assembly.

It is a further object of this invention to provide means for actuating pneumatically operating threading means in cooperation with the re-positioning means.

It has been found by this invention that the above objects may be accomplished by providing, in a textile yarn processing machine, such as a twister, spinning frame orthe like, having a plurality of spindleassemblies mounted in side-by-side relationship for processing of yarn and each spindle assembly including a rotating rotor mechanism and selectively actuatable drive means for selectively driving said rotor mechanism for the processing of yarn and being deactuatable for allowing stopping of the rotation of the rotor mechanism when it is desired to rethread the spindle assembly upon the breakage of yarn or the exhausting of a supply package, the improvement of selectively operable means for re-positioning the spindle rotor mechanism to a predetermined desired position upon the stopping of its rotation in a position other than the predetermined desired position for threading up of the spindle assembly. The re-positioning means comprises selectively actuatable, compressed air nozzle means mounted on said yam processing machine for directing a jet of compressed air eccentrically and obliquely against the underside of said rotor mechanism, when said rotor mechanism has been arbitrarily stopped, for rotating the rotor mechanism to re-position the rotor mechanism in the predetermined desired threading position.

Preferably, the re-positioning means further includes cooperating stop means on the rotor mechanism and on the nozzle means for engaging each other and stopping rotation of the rotor mechanism when the rotor mechanism has been rotated by the air nozzle meansto the predetermined desired threading position.

Also, the re-positioning means includes means for movably mounting the nozzle means for movement between an operative position when operation of the repositioning means is desired and an inoperative position when operation of the re-positioning means is not desired, and selectively operable means, including pneumatically operated, pistoncylinder means, for moving the nozzle means between these positions.

Preferably, the spindle assemblies include air operated threading means for threading the yarn through the spindle assembly upon actuation by air under pressure being supplied thereto and including air channel means extending from the bottom of the rotor mechanism for receving air for actuation of the threading means, as described in the above mentioned US. Pat. No. 3,731,438. The re-positioning means may include means for actuating the threading means by causing the flow of air under pressure through the channel means upon completion of the operation of the re-positioning means. This threading actuating means may comprise compressed air coupling means including means having a pneumatically operated, piston-cylinder means mounting the coupling means for movement between an operative position in which the coupling means is in mating engagement and coupled with the air channel means for actuation of the threading means and an inoperative position away from the channel means when operation of the threading means is not desired.

The re-positioning and threading actuating means may include selectively actuatable, compressed air supply means including timing means for supplying compressed air to the nozzle means and to the pistoncylinder means connected with the nozzle means when operation of the re-positioning means is desired and for supplying compressed air to the coupling means and the pistoncylinder means connected with the coupling means after a predetermined time period when actuation of the threading means is desired and after tue repositioning means has completed its cycle.

A modified embodiment of this invention may include stop means on the nozzle being pivotally mounted for movement from an inoperative position prior to being engaged by the stop means on the rotor mechanism to an operative position after engagement by the stop means on the rotor mechanism, and means actuated by the stop means on the nozzle means for actuating the timing means when the stop means is moved to the operative position thereof.

A further modified embodiment of this invenion combines the re-positioning air nozzle means and the threading actuating means into a single selectively actuatable compressed air nozzle means 'mounted for movement between an inoperative position when operation of the re-positioning and threading actuating means is not desired and an operative position for directing at least one jet of compressed air eccentrically and obliquely against the underside of the rotor mechanism for rotating the rotor mechanism to re-position the rotor mechanism in a predetermined desired position and for mating with the air channel means for actuation of the threading means by supplying compressed air through the air channel means. This embodiment includes selectively operable, pneumatically operated, piston-cylinder means connected with the noale means for moving the nozzle means to the operative position upon actuation thereof and returning the nozzle means to the inoperative position upon deactuation thereof. This embodiment also includes selectively actuatable, compressed air supply means for supplying compressed air to the nozzle means and to the pistoncylinder means when operation of the repositioning and threading actuating means is desired.

Some of the objects and advantages of this invention having been stated, other objects and advantages 'will appear as the description proceeds, when taken in conjunction with-the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view taken generally from the front of a portion of a two-for-one twister yarn processing machine including a plurality of spindle assemblies and having the improvements of this invention incorporated therein;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken generally along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view taken through the rotor mechanism of the spindle assembly illustrated in FIG. 2;

I 1 FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view illustrating the improvements of this invention;

FIG. 5 is a sectional, elevational view illustrating the improvements of this invention,

FIG. 6 is a sectional view, taken generally along the line 6-6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged, perspective view showing parts of the improvements of this invention in an operative position thereof;

FIG. 8 is a view, somewhat like FIG. 7, showing the mechanisms in the inoperative position thereof;

FIG. 9 is a partial, elevational view, in section, illustrating a'modified embodiment of mechanisms in accordance with this invention;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view, taken generally along the line 10-10 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a sectional view, taken generally along the line 11-11 of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a sectional view, taken generally along the line 12-12 of FIG. 10, and showing the elements of the mechanism in an inoperative position thereof;

FIG. 13 is a sectional detail, taken generally along the line 13-13 of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a view, like FIG. 12, illustrating the device in its operative position;

FIG. 15 is an elevational view, in section, illustrating a further modified form of mechanisms in accordance with this invention;

FIG. 16 is an enlarged sectional view of a portion of the mechanisms of FIG. 15;

- FIG. 17 is a sectional view, taken generally along the line 17-17 of FIG. 15;

FIG. 18 is an enlarged sectional detail of a variation of part of the embodimentof FIGS. 15 17.

While the drawings and specific description to follow will be related to a two-for-one twister having the improved mechanisms of this invention thereon, which is the preferred form of apparatus utilizing the improvements of this invention, it is to be understood that the improvements of this invention could also be utilized on other yarn processing machines.

Referring now to the drawings, there is shown in FIG. 1, a portion of a two-for-one twister yarn processing machine having a plurality of spindle assemblies, generally indicated at 10, positioned in side-by-side relationship. A full illustration and description of the entire two-for-one twister yarn processing machine and the various spindle assemblies 10 thereof is not given herein and it is not believed to be necessary for an understanding of the present invention, the operation and structure of such a two-for-one twister yarn processing machine and the plurality of spindle assemblies thereof being well understood by those with ordinary skill in the art.

Generally, each of the spindle assemblies 10, which are conventionally mounted in side-by-side relationship in a two-for-one twister, comprises a rotatably driven rotor mechanism, generally indicated at 11. The rotor mechanism 11 includes a whorl 12 suitably rotatably mounted on the twister frame portion 13 and rotated The spindle assembly further includes a carrier mechanism 25 for carrying a hollow package P of yarn Y and being rotatably mounted on the rotor mechanism 11 by bearings 27 and 29 so that the rotor mechanism 11 may rotate relative to the carrier mechanism 25. The carrier mechanism 25 includes a basket device 26 which surrounds the package P of yarn Y. The carrier mechanism 25 may also include a hollow yarn package carrier member 28 carried by the carrier mechanism 25 and onto which the hollow package P of yarn Y is supported. The hollow carrier '28 may also include a yarn entry tube 30 for providing a yarn passageway mating with the yarn passageway 20 in the rotor mechanism 11.

The spindle assembly 10 further includes a balloon limitor device 33 surrounding the basket device 26 so as to contain the balloon of yarn formed on the outside of the basket device 26; A yarn guide eyelet 40 is positioned above and in axial alignment with the hollow axle 17 and the yarn entry tube 30. There is further provided a pre-take-up roll 42, a yarn traversing mechanism 43, and a take-up or package roll 44 upon which the yarn Y is wound after being processed or twisted by the spindle assembly 10. Package roll 44 is rotated by a friction drive roll 45.

With the above described mechanisms, the yarn Y passes from the package P, through the yarn entry tube 30, through the vertically extending yarn passageway 20 in the hollow axle device 17, through the horizontally extending yarn passageway 21 in the reserve disc device 16 and out of the reserve disc 16 in a horizontal direction (as shown in FIG. 3). The yarn then passes upwardly between the basket device 26 and the balloon limitor device 33 and forms a balloon of yarn Y which is contained by the balloon limitor 33. The yarn then passes through yarn guide eyelet 40, over pre-take-up roll 42 and is traversed by traversing mechanism 43 onto the package roll 44 to complete its travel through the respective spindle assembly 10. As is well understood by those with ordinary skill in the art, a two-forone twist is inserted in the yarn during the above noted path of travel.

The drive belt 14 is maintained in engagement with the whorl 12 of the spindle assemblies 10 by means of a pivotally mounted roll during yarn processing by the spindle assembly 10. When the yarn Y breaks or the supply package of yarn P is exhausted and it is desired to stop operation of the rotor mechanism 11, the roll 15 is moved away from the belt 14 which allows it to become disengaged with the whorl l2 and allows the rotor mechanism 11 to stop. The rotor mechanism 11 may be stopped by means of an internal expanding brake, in accordance with US. Pat. NO. 3,269,103, issued Aug. 30, 1966, or US. Pat. No. 3,466,865, issued Sept. 16, 1969, both of which are assigned to the assignee of the present invention, or otherwise. This results in the rotor mechanism 11 and particularly the yarn passageway 21 being stopped in an arbitrary position and usually in a position other than the desired rethreading position.

Each of the spindle assemblies 10, as discussed above, is provided with pneumatically operated, yarn threading mechanisms for threading of the yarn Y through the spindle assembly 10 when rethreading of the spindle assembly 10 due to yarn breakage or the exhausting of the supply package P occurs. Such rethreading mechanisms are described, as mentioned above, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,731,478 and reference may be had to this patent for a full disclosure.

Generally, these pneumatically operated air threading mechanisms include, inter alia, an air channel 57 formed in the reserve disc 16 of the rotor mechanism 11 and a port 58 on the underside of the reserve disc 16 of the rotor mechanism 11 for receiving air under pressure into the air channel 57. The air channel 57 communicates with the horizontally-extending yarn passageway 21 so that, when the air channel 57 receives air under pressure, it will cause a positive air stream through the horizontally-extending air passageway 21 and a negative air stream through the verticallyextending yarn passageway 20. A negative air stream will also be created through the yarn entry tube 30. For rethreading of the yarn Y through the spindle assembly 10, the yarn Y may be placed at the entrance to the yarn entry tube 30 and will be sucked into and pulled through the yarn entry tube 30 and the verticallyextending yarn passageway 20 by negative air pressure. The yarn Y will then be forced through and out of the horizontally-extending yarn passageway 21 by a positive air stream.

When the exit of the yarn passageway 21 and the rotor mechanism 11 are correctly positioned in the rethreading position, as shown in FIG. 3, so as to be in alignment with a spoon shaped deflector plate 59 on the balloon limitor device 33, the yarn Y and the positive air stream emerging from the yarn passageway 21 will strike the deflector plate 59 and cause the yarn Y and positive air stream to flow up between the basket device 26 and the balloon limitor 33 carrying the yarn Y upwardly for continued threading through the spindle assembly 10. Other devices for automatically threading of the yarn Y by the air stream created are disclosed in the above mentioned US. Pat. 3,731,478 and further explanation herein for an understanding of the present invention is not deemed necessary.

Thus, it may be seen, that in order for the pneumatically-operated threading mechanisms of the spindle assembly 10 to be actuated and properly operated, upon the breakage of yarn Y or the exhaustion of the supply package P of the yarn Y for rethreading of the spindle assembly 10, it is necessary for the rotor mechanism 1 1 and particularly the yarn passageway 21 of the reserve disc 16 to be positioned in a proper position for rethreading of the spindle assembly 10. Also, it is necessary to provide apparatus for supplying air under pressure or compressed air through the port 58 into the channel 57 for creating the desired negative and positive air flows for actuating the air threading devices of the spindle assembly 10. In accordance with the present invention, improved mechanisms for accomplishing the above are provided, as follows.

A carriage mechanism 51 is supported by wheels 52 on a longitudinally extending rail 53 carried by the yarn processing machine. The carriage 51 is further supported by a U-shaped frame member 55 into which a guiding member 56 extends from the carriage mechanism 51. Thus, the carriage mechanism 51 is mounted for longitudinal movement along the front of the yarn processing machine and the spindle assemblies 10 thereof for being positioned at a selected spindle assembly 10.For purposes of the present invention, it does not matter whether the carriage mechanism 51 is motorized and is automatically moved to a selected spindle assembly, or whether the carriage mechanism 51 is moved manually along the machine.

In addition to the improvements of the present invention, the carriage mechanism 51 may carry a yarn knotting device 54 for knotting together two ends of broken or otherwise separated yarn. This knotting device 54 forms no part of the present invention and is the subject of a separate invention, assigned to the assignee of the present invention. Also, the carriage mechanism 51 may include a positioning device 50 for correctly positioning the carriage 51 in front of the selected spindle assembly 10. Likewise, this positioning device 50 does not form a part of the present invention and is the subject of a separate invention, assigned to the assignee of the present invention.

In accordance with the improved mechanisms of the present invention, the carriage mechanism 51 carries a spindle rotor re-positioning device in the form of a selectively actuatable, compressed air nozzle mechanism 60 connected to one end of a thrust rod 61 which passes through a housing or block 62 supported on the hollow frame 63 of carriage mechanism 51. The nozzle 60 is movable by thrust member 61 from an inoperative position, as shown in solid lines in FIG. 4, to an operative position, shown in dotted lines in FIG. 4 and in solid lines in FIG. 7, wherein the air nozzle 60 emits a jet of pressurized or compressed air eccentrically and obliquely against the underside of the reserve disc 16 of rotor mechanism 11. The reserve disc 16 of rotor mechanism 11 is provided with radially extending grooves 65 therearound which cooperate with the jet of air from the nozzle 60 to rotate the rotor mechanism 1 1 so that the yarn passageway 21 and the rotor mechanism 11 will be re-positioned in the desired rethreading position.

For stopping rotation of the rotor mechanism 11, a stop in the form of a projecting lug 67 is mounted on the reserve disc 16 of the rotor mechanism 1 l and a cooperating stop in the form of an extending, bent lug member 68 is pivotally mounted on the nozzle mechanism 60. The stop 68 is urged into proper position by a spring 69 acting on the other end thereof. Thus, as the rotor mechanism 11 rotates under the influence of the jet of air emerging from the nozzle mechanism 60 on the underside thereof and against the radially extending grooves 65, the stop 67 will come into contact with the cooperating stop 68 stopping rotation of the rotor mechanism 11 in the desired rethreading position in which the horizontally-extending yarn passageway 21 is in proper alignment with the spoon shaped deflector plate 59.

The nozzle mechanism 60 and stop 68 are raised from their inoperative position (as shown in solid lines in FIG. 4) to the operative position (as shown in dotted lines in FIG. 4 and in solid lines in FIG. 7) by means of the thrust member 61 being connected via extension 70 to a piston rod of a pneumaticallyoperated pistoncylinder mechanism 72. The piston-cylinder mechanism 72 is'carried by a frame member 73 of the carriage mechanism 51.

A compressed air conveying circuit is provided for supplying air under pressure to the nozzle 60 and to the pistoncylinder mechanism 72 when operation of the repositioning means is desired. This compressed air conveying circuit comprises an air supply line 75 extending from any convenient source of supply of compressed air into the hollow frame 63 of the carriage mechanism 51 for maintaining a supply of compressed air within the hollow frame member 63 of the carriage 51. The compressed air emerges from the hollow frame 51 through a valve 76, which is manually opened and closed by a push button 77, into air conveying line 78. The air passes from air conveying line 78 into the uppdr end of a pneumatic control valve 80, which opens the valve 80 and allows the air to pass into and through air conveying line 81. The air conveying line 81 passes the air through a T -shaped connection 82 into an airconveying line 83, which passes directly'into the nozzle 60 and causes a jet of air to emerge therefrom. From the T-shaped connection 82, air also passes into the lower end of piston-cylinder mechanism 72 causing the piston to move upwardly in the cylinder and therefore raise the thrust mechanism 61 by the extension to move the nozzle 60 from the inoperative position to the operative position.

Simultaneously, air passes from the air conveying line 78 through the air conveying line 84 to a timed delay air valve 86. The time delay valve 86, the timing of which may be adjusted by the adjusting knob 87, supplies air after a predetermined time delay, through an air conveying line 88 to the underside of the pneumatic control valve to close the control valve 80 and shut off the supply of air through line 81 to the nozzle 60 and to the piston-cylinder unit 72.

Thus, in-operation of the re-positioning means, the valve 76 is opened by depressing the push button 77 causing air to flow through the line 78 into pneumatically operated control valve 80 to open the valve 80 and cause the flow of air through air line 81, through T-shaped connection 82, through air line 83 and to the nozzle 60 to initiate the emergence of the jet of air therefrom. Air is also simultaneously conveyed from the T-shaped connection 82 into the bottom part of piston-cylinder mechanism 72 to cause the raising of the piston thereof and thus the raising of the thrust member 61 to raise the nozzle 60 to the operative position thereof so that the emerging jet of air contacts the underside of reserve disc 16 of rotor mechanism 11 for initiating re-positioning and rotating of the rotor mechanism 11. When the rotor mechanism 11 has been rotated, no more than one complete revolution, the cooperating stops 67 and 68 will contact each other to stop the rotor mechanism 1 l in the desired rethreading position thereof.

Simultaneously with the above operation, air passes through line 84 to the underside of timed delay air valve 86 which opens, after a predetermined time delay sufficient to allow re-positioning of the rotor mechanism 11, to cause air to flow through the line 88 to the underside of pneumatic control valve 80 to close the valve 80 and stopthe flow of air through line 81 to the T-shaped connection and to the nozzle 60 by way of line 83, shutting off the emerging jet of air from the nozzle 60. Also, the flow of air to piston-cylinder unit 72 is stopped allowing the piston rod thereof to retract to its lower position which lowers the nozzle 60 to its inoperative position. Thus, the cycle of re-positioning of the rotor mechanism has been completed.

In the preferred form of the improvements according to this invention, the re-positioning means further includes means for actuating the above described threading devices by causing the flow of air under pressure through the port 58 and air channel means 57 in the rotor mechanism 11 upon completion of the operation of the re-positioning means, as described above.

The means for actuating the threading means comprises an air coupling device 90 which is movably mounted for movement from an inoperative position (as shown in solid lines in FIG. when operation of the threading means is not desired, to an operative position (as shown in dotted lines in FIG. 5 and in solid lines in FIG. 8) when actuation of the threading means is desired. The air coupling device 90 includes a port 91 in the upper end thereof for emitting a stream of compressed air therefrom and which is adapted to mate with the port 58 in the air channel 57 in the reserve disc 16 of the rotor mechanism 11, when the coupling device 90 is moved to its operative position and the rotor mechanism has been re-positioned to the predetermined threading position.

The coupling device 90 is carried on the end of a hollow shaft 92 which passes through a housing block 94 formed as an extension of the housing block 62 and supported on the carriage 51. The other end of the hollow shaft 92 is mounted on a lever 95 which is carried by an extension 96 secured to the end of a-piston rod of a pneumatically operated piston-cylinder 98 carried by frame portion 73 of carriage mechanism 51.

Compressed air is conveyed to the air coupling member 90 by an air conveying line 99 which extends from and receives air from the air conveying line 88 and extends into and through the hollow shaft 92 to create a stream of compressed air out of the port 91 of the coupling member 90. Compressed air is also conveyed from the air conveying line 88 by an air conveying line 100 to the bottom of piston-cylinder device 98 to cause the piston rod thereof to raise, raising the extension 96, lever 95, hollow shaft 92 and thus coupling member 90 to the operative position (shown in dotted lines in FIG. 6 and in solid lines in FIG. 8) so that the port 91 of coupling member 90 mates with the port 58 of air channel 57 to cause a positive flow of air through the air channel 57 for actuating the pneumatically operated threading devices of the spindle assembly 10, described above.

In operation of the threading actuating means forming a part of the re-positioning means, the valve 76 is opened by depressing the push button 77 causing air to flow through the line 78 into pneumatically operated control valve 80 to open the valve 80 and cause the flow of air through air line 81 causing operation of and movement of the nozzle 60 to its operative position, as described above, for re-positioning of the spindle rotor mechanism 11. Air also simultaneously passes through the air line 84 to the underside of timed delay air valve 86 which opens, after a predetermined time delay sufficient to allow re-positioning of the rotor 11, to cause air to flow through the air line 88, through the air line 100 and into the bottom of piston-cylinder device 98 to cause the piston rod thereof to raise and thus raise the coupling device 90 to its operative position. By this time, the spindle rotor mechanism 11 has been repositioned so that the port 58 of air channel 57 is in the rethreading position for mating with the port 91 of the coupling member 90.

Simultaneously with the above, air is conveyed from air line 88, into air line 99 and thus into and through the coupling member 90 and port 91 into the port 58 and air channel 57 for actuating the pneumatically operated yarn threading devices, described above. When the yarn Y has been threaded through the spindle assembly 10, the push button 77 of valve 76 may again be pushed to shut off the flow of air therethrough and thus stop the flow of air through air line 84 into timed air valve 86, air line 88 and air line 100 to pistoncylinder device 98. This will cause the piston rod of piston-cylinder 98 to retract, lowering the coupling member 90 to its inoperative position. Also, the flow of air through air line 99 will be shut off thus stopping the flow of air through coupling member 90. Accordingly, the cycle of operation of the re-positioning and threading actuating means has been completed and spindle assembly 10 is ready for continued operation.

Referring to a modified form of the improvements according to this invention, as shown in FIGS. 9 14, a somewhat modified form of cooperating stop mechanisms are shown. In this modified embodiment of the improvementsaccording to this invention, like reference numerals will be used on elements of the yarn processing machine and the improvements of this invention which correspond to the embodiment of FIGS. 1 8 and a detailed explanation of these devices will not be given in connection" with this embodiment.

In the modified form, as shown in FIGS. 9 14, a recess is provided at the underside of thread storage disc 16 of rotor mechanism 11 in front of a stop 111, when viewed in direction of rotation of thespindle rotor 11 and storage disc 16. A cooperating stop mechanism 1 12 is mounted on the nozzle mechanism 60 and comprises a housing 113 carrying a protruding stop arm 114 pivotally mounted at the other end thereof by shaft 115 within the housing 113. The shaft 115 also carries a spring 116 which biases the stop arm 114 in a counter clockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 12. The pivotally mounted end of stop arm 114 includes a radial projection 118 which abutts a stop 119 carried by the housing 113 when the stop arm 114 is biased by the spring 116 in the counter clockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 12.

After raising of the nozzle 60 to its operative position, as described above and as shown in dotted lines in FIGS. 9 and 11, the rotor mechanism 11 is put into rotation by the jet of air emerging from the nozzle mechanism 60 and the stop 111 swivels or pivots the stop arm 114, against the force applied by spring 116, into the vertical position (shown in FIG. 14) in which the stop arm 1 14 engages the stop 11 1 and arrests rotation of the spindle rotor 11. After the stop arm 1 14 has reached its vertical position, retaining lever 121 pivotally mounted at 122 within the housing 113 is released and is swiveled or pivoted by compression spring 124 so that a nose 125 of the retaining lever 121 engages behind the projection 118 of the stop arm 114 thereby retaining the latter in the upright position (as shown in FIG. 14). The lever 121 includes a resilient insert 127, which closes the opening of a back pressure nozzle 128, which via the air conveying line 129 is connected, to gether with the nozzle 60, to the time delay air valve 86 and thereby the compressed air source.

When the nozzle opening of nozzle 128 is closed there occurs a back pressure, which triggers off a switching sequence in the time delay air valve 86, which interrupts the compressed air supply to the piston-cylinder unit 98, the nozzle mechanism 60 and the back pressure valve 128 after a predetermined or present time. As a result of this the stop mechanism 112 together with the nozzle mechanism 60 are again lowered. In the bottom of the housing 113 is a displacable plunger 130 which abutts against a fixed stop 131 towards the end of the downward movement of the stop mechanism 112 and is consequently pushed into the housing 113. When this occurs the upper end of the plunger 130 engages the retaining lever 121 displacing it against the spring 124 to its original location (as shown in FIG. 12), resulting in the release of the stop arm 114, which under the action of spring 116 also returns to its oblique original position (as shown in FIG. 12).'

Referring now to a further modified form of this invention, as shown in FIGS. 15 18, the nozzle mechanism and coupling mechanism, as described above, are combined into a single air nozzle unit 150 carried on the upper end of a lever arm 151 secured to the end of a piston rod 152 of a piston-cylinder unit 153 suitably carried by the carriage'mechanism 51.

Compressed air is supplied from any source of supply or from hollow frame 63 of carriage 51 by an air supply line 155 to an air valve 156 which allows the flow of air through an air line 157 to the upper end of pistoncylinder unit 153 and through air line 158 to the bottom of piston-cylinder unit 153. Also, the air valve 156 allows the flow of air through air line 159 to the nozzle mechanism 150and to a chamber 160 therein.

As shown in FIGS. 17, the nozzle 150 includes a flat upper surface and has several obliquely arranged, small diameter, compressed air nozzles 161, and a compressed air aperture 162 which is of a considerably larger opening area than the cross-sectional area of the individual apertures of the obliquely arranged compressed air nozzles "161. The compressed air aperture 162 is positioned at an identical distance from the spindle rotor axis as is the port 58 on the underside of the thread storage disc '16 of the rotor mechanism 11. The cross-sectional area of the port 58 is substantially identical to the cross-sectional area of the compressed aperture 162.

When operation of the re-positioning and threading actuating nozzle mechanism 150 of this embodiment is desired, the valve 156 is operated, either manually by a trigger mechanism (not shown) or otherwise, to open the flow of air through air conveying line 158 into the bottom of piston-cylinder unit 153 causing the raising of air nozzle mechanism 150 toward the bottom of thread storage disc 16 of rotor mechanism 11. Also, the flow of air is initiated through the air conveying line 159 into the nozzle mechanism 150 and the chamber 160 thereof to cause jets of air to emit from the small obliquely arranged nozzles 161 and through the compressed air aperture 162. i

When the compressed air aperture 162 is not by chance in alignment with the port 58 of the air channel 57in the thread storage disk 16 of rotor mechanism 11, the compressed air streaming from the openings of the nozzle mechanism 150 forms an air cushion between the nozzle mechanism 150 and the underside of the thread storage disc 16 of the spindle rotor mechanism 11 and no contact occurs between the nozzle: mechanism 150 and the thread air nozzles 16. As a result of the oblique positions of the compressed air nozzles 161, the spindle rotor 11 is rotated by the jets of compressed air striking the underside of the thread storage disc 16 obliquely and eccentrically. The spindle rotor continues to rotate until the compressed air aperture 162 and the port 58 of air channel 57 are positioned one above the other or superimposed. The compressed air now follows the path of least resistance through the compressed air aperture 162 and port 58 and into air channel 57 and causes the collapse of the air cushion between the nozzle mechanism and the thread storage disc 16 of rotor mechanism 11 causing the nozzle mechanism 150 to contact the underside of thread storage disc 16 to stop and hold the spindle rotor 11 in the position in which the compressed air aperture 162 is in alignment with the port 58 for allowing the flow of air into the air channel 57 for actuating the threading mechanisms, as described above, and to stop the rotor mechanism 11 in its desired threading position.

As shown in FIG. 17, the nozzle mechanism 150 has a ring segment shape, which matches the circumference of the underside of the thread storage disc 16 of spindle rotor 11. Also, the underside of thread storage disc 16 of spindle rotor 11 may have'recesses 170, which are preferably calotte shaped (as shown in FIG. 15) instead of the radial grooves, as described above. However, these recesses may be in the form of radial grooves and the radial grooves described above may be in the form of calotte shaped recesses.

When operation of the nozzle mechanism 150 has been completed to re-position the spindle rotor 11 in the desired threading position and the threading mechanisms of the spindle assembly have been actuated by initiating the flow of air from air aperture 162 through air channel 57, the valve 156 may again be operated, by a suitable manual trigger mechanism or otherwise, to shut off the flow of air through air conveying lines 157 and 159 and initiate the flow of air through air conveying line 158 to cause the piston-cylinder mechanism to retract and lower the air nozzle mechanism 150 to its inoperative position, as shown in FIG. 15. This also shuts off the supply of air to air nozzle mechanism 150 and the cycle of operation of this embodiment has been completed.

Referring now to FIG. 18, a variation of the embodiment of this invention illustrated in FIGS. 15 17 is disclosed. in this variation the plurality of small obliquely arranged air jets 161 have been eliminated and the compressed air aperture has been arranged obliquely so that a single jet of compressed air will be emitted from the nozzle mechanism 150 eccentrically and obliquely against the underside of the thread storage disc of rotor mechanism 11 for rotating the rotor mechanism 11 to re-position the rotor mechanism in the predetermined desired threading position and for mating with the port 58 of channel 57 to actuate the threading mechanisms of the spindle assembly 10, in the manner described above with respect to FIGS. 15 17.

Thus, this invention has provided several embodiments of improved selectively operable means for repositioning a spindle rotor mechanism of a textile yarn processing machine to a predetermined desired position upon stopping of its rotation in a position other than the predetermined desired position and, preferably, includes cooperating means for actuating pneumatic threading means by causing the flow of air under pressure through the threading devices. The improved mechanisms of this invention have overcome the problems and disadvantages with respect to prior mechanisms and have simplified the operation thereof.

In the drawings and specification there have been set forth preferred embodiments of the invention and, al-

though specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

What is claimed is:

1. In a textile yarn processing machine, such as a twister, spinning frame or the like, having a plurality of spindle assemblies mounted in side-by-side relationship for processing of yarn and each spindle assembly including a rotating rotor mechanism and selectively actuatable drive means for selectively driving said rotor mechanism for the processing yarn and being deactuatable for allowing stopping of the rotation of the rotor mechanism when it is desired to rethread the spindle assembly upon the breakage of yarn or the exhausting of a supply package; the improvement of selectively operable means for repositioning said spindle rotor mechanism to a predetermined desired position upon the stopping of its rotation in a position other than the predetermined desired position for threading up of said spindle assembly, said re-positioning means comprismg:

selectively actuatable, compressed air nozzle means mounted on said yarn processing machine for directing a jet of compressed air eccentrically and obliquely against the underside of said rotor mechanism, when said rotor mechanism has been arbitrarily stopped, for rotating said rotor mechanism to re-position said rotor mechanism in said predetermined desired position.

2. In a textile yarn processing machine, as set forth in claim 1, in which said re-positioning means further includes cooperating stop means on said rotor mechanism and on said nozzle means for engaging each other and stopping rotation by said rotor mechanism when said rotor mechanism has been rotated by said nozzle means to the predetermined desired position.

3. In a textile yarn processing machine, as set forth in claiml, in which said re-positioning means includes radially extending recesses around the underside of said rotor mechanism for contact by the jet of compressed air from said air nozzle means for aiding in rotation of said rotor mechanism by said air nozzle means.

4. In a textile yarn processing machine, as set forth in claim 1, in which said re-positioning means includes selectively actuatable compressed air supply means for selectively supplying compressed air to said nozzle means when operation of said re-positioning means is desired.

5. In a textile yarn processing machine, as set forth in claim 4, in which said selectively actuatable compressed air supply means comprises a source of compressed air,

compressed air conveying circuit means connected with said source and with said nozzle means for conveying compressed air from said source to said nozzle means,

valve means connected in said air circuit means for opening upon actuation thereof to allow the flow of air through said air circuit means to said nozzle means and initiate operation of said re-positioning means, and

timing means connected in said air circuit means for stopping the flow of air through said circuit means to said air nozzle means after a predetermined time period following initiation of operation of said repositioning means.

6. In a textile yarn processing machine, as set forth in claim 1, in which said re-positioning means includes means for movably mounting said nozzle means for movement between an operative position when operation of said re-positioning means is desired and an inoperative position when operation of said re-positioning means is not desired, and selectively operable means for moving said nozzle means between said positions.

7. In a textile yarn processing machine, as set forth in claim 6, in which said means for moving said nozzle means comprises pneumatically operated, piston-cylinder means connected to said nozzle means for moving said nozzle means to the operative position upon actuation thereof and returning said nozzle means to the inoperative position upon deactuation thereof,

compressed air conveying circuit means connected with said piston-cylinder means for supplying compressed air thereto for actuation thereof,

valve means connected in said air circuit means for opening upon actuation thereof to allow the flow of air through said air circuit means to said pistoncylinder means for actuation thereof to move said nozzle means to the operative position thereof, and

timing means connected in said air circuit means for stopping the flow of air through said circuit means to said piston-cylinder means to deactuate said piston-cylinder means after a predetermined time period following actuation of said valve means for returning said nozzle means to the inoperative position thereof. 8. In a textile yarn processing machine, as set forth in claim 1, in which each said spindle assembly further includes air operated threading means for threading the yarn through said spindle assembly upon actuation by air under pressure being supplied thereto and including air channel means extending from the bottom of said rotor mechanism for receiving air for actuation of said threading means, and in which said re-positioning means further includes means for actuating said threading means by causing the flow of air under pressure through said channel means upon completion of the operation of said re-positioning means.

9. In a textile yarn processing machine, as set forth in claim 8, in which said means for actuating said threading means comprises compressed air coupling means including means mounting said coupling means for movement between an operative position in which said coupling means is in mating engagement and couples with said air channel means for actuation of said threading means when desired and an inoperative position away from said channel means when operation of said threading means is not desired,

pneumatically operated, piston-cylinder means connected with said coupling means for moving said coupling means to the operative position upon actuation thereof and returning said coupling means to the inoperative position upon deactuation thereof,

compressed air conveying circuit means connected with said piston-cylinder means for supplying compressed air thereto for actuation thereof and connected with said coupling means for supplying compressed air thereto,

valve means connected in said air circuit means for opening upon actuation thereof to allow the flow of air through said air circuit means to said pistoncylinder means for actuation thereof to move said couplingmeans to the operative position thereof and to said coupling means for actuating said threading means for stopping the flow of air upon deactuation thereof, and

timing means connected in said air circuit means for delaying the flow of air through said circuit means until after a predetermined time period following actuation of said valve means for allowing said repositioning means to complete its cycle prior to actuation of said threading means.

10. In a textile yarn processing machine, such as a twister, spinning frame or the like, having a plurality of spindle assemblies mounted in side-by-side relationship for processing of yarn and each spindle assembly including a rotating rotor mechanism and selectively actuatable drive means for selectively driving said rotor mechanism for the processing of yarn and being deactuatable for allowing stopping of the rotation of the rotor mechanism when it is desired to rethread the spindle assembly upon the breakage of yarn or the exhausting of a supply package; the improvement of selectively operable means for re-positioning said spindle rotor mechanism to a predetermined desired position upon the stopping of its rotation in a position other than the predetermined desired position for threading up of said spindle assembly, said re-positioning means comprising:

selectively actuatable, compressed air nozzle means including meansmounting said .nozzle means for movement between an operative position for di 'recting a jet of compressed air eccentricallyand obliquely against the underside of said rotor mechanism for rotating said rotor mechanism to reposition said rotor mechanism in said predetermined desired position and an inoperative position when operation of said re-positioning means is not desired; cooperating stop means on said rotor mechanism and on said nozzle means for engaging each other and stopping rotation of said rotor mechanism when said rotor mechanism is in the operative position and has been rotated by said air nozzle means to the predetermined desired position; selectively operable, pneumatically operated, pistoncylinder means connected with said nozzle means for moving said nozzle means to the operative position upon actuation thereof and returning said nozzle means to the inoperative position upon deactuation thereof; and I selectively-actuatable compressed air supply means for supplying compressed air to said nozzle means i and to said piston-cylinder means when operation of said re-positioning means is desired.

1 l. in a textile yarn processing machine, as set forth in claim 10, in which said selectively actuatable compressed air supply means, for selectively supplying compressed air to said nozzle means and to said pneumatically operated, piston-cylinder means when operation of said re-positioning means is desired, comprises a source of compressed air, I compressed air conveying circuit means connected with said source and with said nozzle means and 16 said piston-cylinder means for supplying compressed air thereto when operation of said repositioning means is desired, valve means connected in said air circuit meansfor opening upon actuation thereof to allow the flow of air through said air circuit means to said nozzle means for directing a jet of comressed air against the underside of said rotor mechanism and to said piston-cylinder means for actuation thereof to simultaneously move said nozzle means to the operative position'thereof, and timing means connected in said air circuit means for stopping the flow of air through said air circuit means to said air nozzle means and to said pistoncylinder means after a predetermined timeperiod following initiation of operation of said repositioning means for stopping the jet of compressed air out of said nozzle means and for deactuating said piston-cylinder means for returning said nozzle means to the inoperative position thereof. 12. In a textile yarn processing yachine, suchas a twister, spinning frame or the like, having a plurality of spindle assemblies mounted in side-by-side relationship for processing of yarn and each spindle assembly including a rotating rotor mechanism, selectively actuatable drive means for selectively driving said rotor mechanism for the processing of yarn and being deactuatable for stopping of the rotation of said rotor mechanism when it is desired to rethread said spindle assembly upon the breakage of yarn or exhausting of a supply package, and air operated threading means for threading the yarn through said spindle assembly upon actuation by air under pressure being'supplied thereto and including air channel means extending from the bottom of said rotor mechanism for receiving air for actuation of said threading means; the improvement of selectively operable means for re-positioning said spindle rotor mechanism to a predetermined desired threading position upon the stopping of its rotation in a position other than the predetermined desired threading position and for actuating said threading means by causing the flow of air under pressure through said channel means, said re-positioning and threading actuating means comprising:

selectively actuatable, compressed air nozzle means including means mounting said nozzle means for movement between an operative position for directing a jet of compressed air eccentrically and obliquely against the underside of said rotor mechanism for rotating said rotor mechanism to reposition said rotor mechanism in said predetermined desired position and an inoperative position when operation of said re-positioning means is not desired; cooperating stop means on said rotor mechanism and on said noule means for engaging each other and stopping rotation of said rotor mechanism when said rotor mechanism has been rotated by said air nozzle means to the predetermined desired threading position; and said nozzie means is in the operative position thereof selectively operable, pneumatically operated, pistoncylinder means connected with said nozzle means for moving said nozzle means to the operative position upon actuation thereof and returning said nozzle means to the inoperative position upon deactuation thereof;

compressed air coupling means including means mounting said coupling means for movement between an operative position in which said coupling means is in mating engagement and coupled with said air channel means for actuation of said threading means when desired and an inoperative position away from said channel means when operation of said threading means is not desired;

selectively operable, pneumatically operated, pistoncylinder means connected with said coupling means for moving said coupling means to the operative position upon actuation thereof and returning said coupling means to the inoperative position upon deactuation thereof; and

selectively actuatable, compressed air supply means for supplying compressed air to said nozzle means and to said piston-cylinder means connected with said nozzle means when operation of said repositioning means is desired and for supplying compressed air to said coupling means and said piston-cylinder means connected with said coupling means after a predetermined time period when actuation of said threading means is desired and after said re-positioning means has completed its cycle.

13. In a textile processing machine, as set forth in claim 12, in which said selectively actuatable, compressed air supply means comprises a source of compressed air,

compressed air conveying circuit means connected with said source and with said nozzle means, said piston-cylinder means connected with said nozzle means, said coupling means and said pistoncylinder means connected with said coupling means for applying compressed air thereto when operation of said re-positioning and threading actuating means is desired,

valve means connected in said air circuit means for opening upon actuation thereof to allow the flow of air through said air circuit means and timing means connected in said air circuit means for stopping the flow of air through said air circuit means to said air nozzle means and to said pistoncylinder means connected with said nozzle means after a predetermined time period following initiation of operation of said re-positioning means for stopping the jet of compressed air out of said nozzle means and for deactuating said piston-cylinder means connected with said nozzle means for returning said nozzle means to the inoperative position thereof and for delaying the flow of air through said circuit means to said coupling means and to said piston-cylinder means connected with said coupling means until after a predetermined time period following actuation of said valve means for allowing said i e-positioning means to complete its cycle prior to actuation of said threading means.

14. In a textile yarn processing machine, as set forth in claim 13, in which said stop means on said nozzle means is pivotally mounted for movement from an inoperative position prior to being engaged by said stop means on said rotor mechanism to an operative position after engagement by said stop means on said rotor mechanism, and means actuated by said stop means on said nozzle means for actuating said timing means when said stop means is moved to the operative position thereof.

15. In a textile yarn processing machine, as set forth in claim 12, including movable carriage means carrying said re-positioning and threading actuating means and being selectively positionable in front of each of said spindle assemblies for selective operation of said repositioning and threading actuating means with respect to a selected spindle assembly of said yarn processing machine.

16. In a textile yarn processing machine, such as a twister, spinning frame or the like, having a plurality of spindle assemblies mounted in side-by-side relationship for processing of yarn at each spindle assembly including a rotating rotor mechanism, selectively actuatable drive means for selectively driving said rotor mechanism for the processing of yarn andbeing deactuatable for stopping of the rotation of said rotor mechanism when it is desired .to rethread said spindle assembly upon the breakage of yarn or exhausting of a supply package, and air operated threading means for threading the yarn through said spindle assembly upon actuation by air under pressure being supplied thereto and including air channel means extending from the bottom of said rotor mechanism for receiving air for actuation of said threading means; the improvement of selectively operable means for re-positioning said spindle rotor mechanism to a predetermined desired threading position upon the stopping of its rotation in a position other than the predetermined desired threading position and for actuating said threading means by causing the flow of air under pressure through said channel means, said re-positioning and threading actuating means comprising: 7

selectively actuatable compressed air nozzle means including means mounting said nozzle means for movement between an inoperative position when operation of said re-positioning and threading actuating means is not desired and an operative position for directing at least one jet of compressed air eccentrically and obliquely against the underside of said rotor mechanism for rotating said rotor mechanism to re-position said rotor mechanism in said predetermined desired position and for mating with said air channel means for actuation of said threading means by supplying compressed air through said air channel means;

selectively operable, pneumatically operated, pistoncylinder means connected with said nozzle means for moving said nozzle means to the operative position upon actuation thereof and returning said nozzle means to the inoperative position upon deactuation thereof; and

selectively actuatable, compressed air supply means for supplying compressed air to said nozzle means and to said piston-cylinder means when operation of said re-positioning and threading actuating means is desired.

17. In a textile yarn processing machine, as set forth in claim 16, in which said nozzle means comprises a unitary housing having a plurality of nozzles therein, in which one of said nozzles is positioned for mating engagement with said chanel means when said rotor mechanism has been rotated to the predetermined desired threading positon and in which said other nozzle means are positioned for directing jets of compressed air eccentrically and obliquely against the underside of said rotor mechanism for rotating said rotor mechanism to re-position said rotor mechanism in the prederotor mechanism for rotating said rotor mechanism to re-position said rotor mechanism in said predetermined desired threading position and for mating with said channel means when said rotor mechanism has been re-positioned for actuating said threading means.

Patent No.

UNITED S'IA'IES PATENT OFF" IF) CERTKFICATE OF CORRECTION Dated September 10, 1974 Inventor(s) It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 3, Line 13, "pistoncylinder should be --piston cylinder-;

Column 3, Line 15, "tue" should be --the--; 1

Column 7, Line. 57,

operated-;

Column 7, Line 64,

"pneumaticallyoperated 'shouldbe -pneumatically- "pistoncylinder" should be piston-cylinder";

Column 8, Line 6, "uppdr" should be --upper--;

Column 11, Column 11, Column 11, Column 13, Column 13, Column 16, Column 17, Column 18,

Signed and sealed this 5th day of November 1974.

(SEAL) Attest:

MCCOY M. GIBSON JR. Attesting Officer C. MARSHALL DANN Commissioner of Patents 

1. In a textile yarn processing machine, such as a twister, spinning frame or the like, having a plurality of spindle assemblies mounted in side-by-side relationship for processing of yarn and each spindle assembly including a rotating rotor mechanism and selectively actuatable drive means for selectively driving said rotor mechanism for the processing yarn and being deactuatable for allowing stopping of the rotation of the rotor mechanism when it is desired to rethread the spindle assembly upon the breakage of yarn or the exhausting of a supply package; the improvement of selectively operable means for re-positioning said spindle rotor mechanism to a predetermined desired position upon the stopping of its rotation in a position other than the predetermined desired position for threading up of said spindle assembly, said re-positioning means comprising: selectively actuatable, compressed air nozzle means mounted On said yarn processing machine for directing a jet of compressed air eccentrically and obliquely against the underside of said rotor mechanism, when said rotor mechanism has been arbitrarily stopped, for rotating said rotor mechanism to re-position said rotor mechanism in said predetermined desired position.
 2. In a textile yarn processing machine, as set forth in claim 1, in which said re-positioning means further includes cooperating stop means on said rotor mechanism and on said nozzle means for engaging each other and stopping rotation by said rotor mechanism when said rotor mechanism has been rotated by said nozzle means to the predetermined desired position.
 3. In a textile yarn processing machine, as set forth in claim1, in which said re-positioning means includes radially extending recesses around the underside of said rotor mechanism for contact by the jet of compressed air from said air nozzle means for aiding in rotation of said rotor mechanism by said air nozzle means.
 4. In a textile yarn processing machine, as set forth in claim 1, in which said re-positioning means includes selectively actuatable compressed air supply means for selectively supplying compressed air to said nozzle means when operation of said re-positioning means is desired.
 5. In a textile yarn processing machine, as set forth in claim 4, in which said selectively actuatable compressed air supply means comprises a source of compressed air, compressed air conveying circuit means connected with said source and with said nozzle means for conveying compressed air from said source to said nozzle means, valve means connected in said air circuit means for opening upon actuation thereof to allow the flow of air through said air circuit means to said nozzle means and initiate operation of said re-positioning means, and timing means connected in said air circuit means for stopping the flow of air through said circuit means to said air nozzle means after a predetermined time period following initiation of operation of said re-positioning means.
 6. In a textile yarn processing machine, as set forth in claim 1, in which said re-positioning means includes means for movably mounting said nozzle means for movement between an operative position when operation of said re-positioning means is desired and an inoperative position when operation of said re-positioning means is not desired, and selectively operable means for moving said nozzle means between said positions.
 7. In a textile yarn processing machine, as set forth in claim 6, in which said means for moving said nozzle means comprises pneumatically operated, piston-cylinder means connected to said nozzle means for moving said nozzle means to the operative position upon actuation thereof and returning said nozzle means to the inoperative position upon deactuation thereof, compressed air conveying circuit means connected with said piston-cylinder means for supplying compressed air thereto for actuation thereof, valve means connected in said air circuit means for opening upon actuation thereof to allow the flow of air through said air circuit means to said piston-cylinder means for actuation thereof to move said nozzle means to the operative position thereof, and timing means connected in said air circuit means for stopping the flow of air through said circuit means to said piston-cylinder means to deactuate said piston-cylinder means after a predetermined time period following actuation of said valve means for returning said nozzle means to the inoperative position thereof.
 8. In a textile yarn processing machine, as set forth in claim 1, in which each said spindle assembly further includes air operated threading means for threading the yarn through said spindle assembly upon actuation by air under pressure being supplied thereto and including air channel means extending from the bottom of said rotor mechanism for receiving air for actuation of said threading means, and in which said re-posItioning means further includes means for actuating said threading means by causing the flow of air under pressure through said channel means upon completion of the operation of said re-positioning means.
 9. In a textile yarn processing machine, as set forth in claim 8, in which said means for actuating said threading means comprises compressed air coupling means including means mounting said coupling means for movement between an operative position in which said coupling means is in mating engagement and couples with said air channel means for actuation of said threading means when desired and an inoperative position away from said channel means when operation of said threading means is not desired, pneumatically operated, piston-cylinder means connected with said coupling means for moving said coupling means to the operative position upon actuation thereof and returning said coupling means to the inoperative position upon deactuation thereof, compressed air conveying circuit means connected with said piston-cylinder means for supplying compressed air thereto for actuation thereof and connected with said coupling means for supplying compressed air thereto, valve means connected in said air circuit means for opening upon actuation thereof to allow the flow of air through said air circuit means to said piston-cylinder means for actuation thereof to move said coupling means to the operative position thereof and to said coupling means for actuating said threading means for stopping the flow of air upon deactuation thereof, and timing means connected in said air circuit means for delaying the flow of air through said circuit means until after a predetermined time period following actuation of said valve means for allowing said re-positioning means to complete its cycle prior to actuation of said threading means.
 10. In a textile yarn processing machine, such as a twister, spinning frame or the like, having a plurality of spindle assemblies mounted in side-by-side relationship for processing of yarn and each spindle assembly including a rotating rotor mechanism and selectively actuatable drive means for selectively driving said rotor mechanism for the processing of yarn and being deactuatable for allowing stopping of the rotation of the rotor mechanism when it is desired to rethread the spindle assembly upon the breakage of yarn or the exhausting of a supply package; the improvement of selectively operable means for re-positioning said spindle rotor mechanism to a predetermined desired position upon the stopping of its rotation in a position other than the predetermined desired position for threading up of said spindle assembly, said re-positioning means comprising: selectively actuatable, compressed air nozzle means including means mounting said nozzle means for movement between an operative position for directing a jet of compressed air eccentrically and obliquely against the underside of said rotor mechanism for rotating said rotor mechanism to re-position said rotor mechanism in said predetermined desired position and an inoperative position when operation of said re-positioning means is not desired; cooperating stop means on said rotor mechanism and on said nozzle means for engaging each other and stopping rotation of said rotor mechanism when said rotor mechanism is in the operative position and has been rotated by said air nozzle means to the predetermined desired position; selectively operable, pneumatically operated, piston-cylinder means connected with said nozzle means for moving said nozzle means to the operative position upon actuation thereof and returning said nozzle means to the inoperative position upon deactuation thereof; and selectively actuatable compressed air supply means for supplying compressed air to said nozzle means and to said piston-cylinder means when operation of said re-positioning means is desired.
 11. In a textile yarn processing machine, as set forth in claim 10, in which said selectively acTuatable compressed air supply means, for selectively supplying compressed air to said nozzle means and to said pneumatically operated, piston-cylinder means when operation of said re-positioning means is desired, comprises a source of compressed air, compressed air conveying circuit means connected with said source and with said nozzle means and said piston-cylinder means for supplying compressed air thereto when operation of said re-positioning means is desired, valve means connected in said air circuit means for opening upon actuation thereof to allow the flow of air through said air circuit means to said nozzle means for directing a jet of comressed air against the underside of said rotor mechanism and to said piston-cylinder means for actuation thereof to simultaneously move said nozzle means to the operative position thereof, and timing means connected in said air circuit means for stopping the flow of air through said air circuit means to said air nozzle means and to said piston-cylinder means after a predetermined time period following initiation of operation of said re-positioning means for stopping the jet of compressed air out of said nozzle means and for deactuating said piston-cylinder means for returning said nozzle means to the inoperative position thereof.
 12. In a textile yarn processing yachine, such as a twister, spinning frame or the like, having a plurality of spindle assemblies mounted in side-by-side relationship for processing of yarn and each spindle assembly including a rotating rotor mechanism, selectively actuatable drive means for selectively driving said rotor mechanism for the processing of yarn and being deactuatable for stopping of the rotation of said rotor mechanism when it is desired to rethread said spindle assembly upon the breakage of yarn or exhausting of a supply package, and air operated threading means for threading the yarn through said spindle assembly upon actuation by air under pressure being supplied thereto and including air channel means extending from the bottom of said rotor mechanism for receiving air for actuation of said threading means; the improvement of selectively operable means for re-positioning said spindle rotor mechanism to a predetermined desired threading position upon the stopping of its rotation in a position other than the predetermined desired threading position and for actuating said threading means by causing the flow of air under pressure through said channel means, said re-positioning and threading actuating means comprising: selectively actuatable, compressed air nozzle means including means mounting said nozzle means for movement between an operative position for directing a jet of compressed air eccentrically and obliquely against the underside of said rotor mechanism for rotating said rotor mechanism to re-position said rotor mechanism in said predetermined desired position and an inoperative position when operation of said re-positioning means is not desired; cooperating stop means on said rotor mechanism and on said nozzle means for engaging each other and stopping rotation of said rotor mechanism when said rotor mechanism has been rotated by said air nozzle means to the predetermined desired threading position; and said nozzle means is in the operative position thereof selectively operable, pneumatically operated, piston-cylinder means connected with said nozzle means for moving said nozzle means to the operative position upon actuation thereof and returning said nozzle means to the inoperative position upon deactuation thereof; compressed air coupling means including means mounting said coupling means for movement between an operative position in which said coupling means is in mating engagement and coupled with said air channel means for actuation of said threading means when desired and an inoperative position away from said channel means when operation of said threading means is not desired; selectively operable, pneumatically operated, piston-Cylinder means connected with said coupling means for moving said coupling means to the operative position upon actuation thereof and returning said coupling means to the inoperative position upon deactuation thereof; and selectively actuatable, compressed air supply means for supplying compressed air to said nozzle means and to said piston-cylinder means connected with said nozzle means when operation of said re-positioning means is desired and for supplying compressed air to said coupling means and said piston-cylinder means connected with said coupling means after a predetermined time period when actuation of said threading means is desired and after said re-positioning means has completed its cycle.
 13. In a textile processing machine, as set forth in claim 12, in which said selectively actuatable, compressed air supply means comprises a source of compressed air, compressed air conveying circuit means connected with said source and with said nozzle means, said piston-cylinder means connected with said nozzle means, said coupling means and said piston-cylinder means connected with said coupling means for applying compressed air thereto when operation of said re-positioning and threading actuating means is desired, valve means connected in said air circuit means for opening upon actuation thereof to allow the flow of air through said air circuit means and timing means connected in said air circuit means for stopping the flow of air through said air circuit means to said air nozzle means and to said piston-cylinder means connected with said nozzle means after a predetermined time period following initiation of operation of said re-positioning means for stopping the jet of compressed air out of said nozzle means and for deactuating said piston-cylinder means connected with said nozzle means for returning said nozzle means to the inoperative position thereof and for delaying the flow of air through said circuit means to said coupling means and to said piston-cylinder means connected with said coupling means until after a predetermined time period following actuation of said valve means for allowing said re-positioning means to complete its cycle prior to actuation of said threading means.
 14. In a textile yarn processing machine, as set forth in claim 13, in which said stop means on said nozzle means is pivotally mounted for movement from an inoperative position prior to being engaged by said stop means on said rotor mechanism to an operative position after engagement by said stop means on said rotor mechanism, and means actuated by said stop means on said nozzle means for actuating said timing means when said stop means is moved to the operative position thereof.
 15. In a textile yarn processing machine, as set forth in claim 12, including movable carriage means carrying said re-positioning and threading actuating means and being selectively positionable in front of each of said spindle assemblies for selective operation of said re-positioning and threading actuating means with respect to a selected spindle assembly of said yarn processing machine.
 16. In a textile yarn processing machine, such as a twister, spinning frame or the like, having a plurality of spindle assemblies mounted in side-by-side relationship for processing of yarn at each spindle assembly including a rotating rotor mechanism, selectively actuatable drive means for selectively driving said rotor mechanism for the processing of yarn and being deactuatable for stopping of the rotation of said rotor mechanism when it is desired to rethread said spindle assembly upon the breakage of yarn or exhausting of a supply package, and air operated threading means for threading the yarn through said spindle assembly upon actuation by air under pressure being supplied thereto and including air channel means extending from the bottom of said rotor mechanism for receiving air for actuation of said threading means; the improvement of selectively operable means for re-positioning said spindle rOtor mechanism to a predetermined desired threading position upon the stopping of its rotation in a position other than the predetermined desired threading position and for actuating said threading means by causing the flow of air under pressure through said channel means, said re-positioning and threading actuating means comprising: selectively actuatable compressed air nozzle means including means mounting said nozzle means for movement between an inoperative position when operation of said re-positioning and threading actuating means is not desired and an operative position for directing at least one jet of compressed air eccentrically and obliquely against the underside of said rotor mechanism for rotating said rotor mechanism to re-position said rotor mechanism in said predetermined desired position and for mating with said air channel means for actuation of said threading means by supplying compressed air through said air channel means; selectively operable, pneumatically operated, piston-cylinder means connected with said nozzle means for moving said nozzle means to the operative position upon actuation thereof and returning said nozzle means to the inoperative position upon deactuation thereof; and selectively actuatable, compressed air supply means for supplying compressed air to said nozzle means and to said piston-cylinder means when operation of said re-positioning and threading actuating means is desired.
 17. In a textile yarn processing machine, as set forth in claim 16, in which said nozzle means comprises a unitary housing having a plurality of nozzles therein, in which one of said nozzles is positioned for mating engagement with said chanel means when said rotor mechanism has been rotated to the predetermined desired threading positon and in which said other nozzle means are positioned for directing jets of compressed air eccentrically and obliquely against the underside of said rotor mechanism for rotating said rotor mechanism to re-position said rotor mechanism in the predetermined desired threading position for mating engagement between said one nozzle means and said air channel means.
 18. In a textile yarn processing machine, as set forth in claim 16, in which said nozzle means comprises a single air nozzle for directing a jet of compressed air eccentrically and obliquely against the underside of said rotor mechanism for rotating said rotor mechanism to re-position said rotor mechanism in said predetermined desired threading position and for mating with said channel means when said rotor mechanism has been re-positioned for actuating said threading means. 